Special care should be taken when repairing load-bearing columns.
Columns are used in patios, porches, orangeries and other places for structural and decorative purposes in a range of artistic styles, such as Doric and Tuscan. If they become damaged, assess the situation carefully. Verify the material the column is made of. Tackle the work yourself only if you are certain that you will not damage artifacts of historical significance, aggravate the situation or compromise the structural integrity of a room or the building.
Scratches and Splits
For unsightly scratches and small splits on waxed wooden columns, rub in wax shoe polish of the nearest shade. Alternatively, use colored beeswax. Fill scratches or splits on painted or varnished wooden columns with wood filler. Allow it to dry, then sand it flush and repaint or re-varnish as needed. For scratches on plaster columns, paint in plaster of Paris. However, take care when using this medium as it can cause burns. Allow the surface to dry, then reshape it with fine sandpaper to recreate the original form. Scratches on stone columns can generally be ignored. If you wish to make them stand out less, simply rub in a bit of dirt.
Holes
You can repair small holes on wooden columns with wood filler. Larger holes, especially those caused by Xestobium rufovillosum, commonly known as the death watch beetle, may need professional attention. Small holes on plaster columns, which are usually not load-bearing, can often be filled with gypsum or cement plaster, according to architectural renovators Brian Pegg and William Stagg, sometimes sold as plaster of Paris. Small holes in stone columns can be filled with cement. Bear in mind that badly damaged, load-bearing stone columns can pose a considerable risk.
Burns
Small burns on wooden columns can be tackled by first scraping away the charred wood. Then treat as if it were a hole. On painted columns, do the same. Then sand the area with glass paper and re-stain or repaint the wood as required. If you choose to spray paint your columns, you should aim to do so in a series of overlapping vertical bands by moving the gun from one side to the other as you progress from the top to the bottom of the column.
More Significant Damage
Load-bearing columns that are significantly damaged should be replaced. However, if they are non-load-bearing, it may be possible to repair wooden columns by incorporating new wood. For wooden columns with rotten areas, completely remove the rotten wood back to solid material. Shape new wood to fit in the area. This may require quite a bit of patience. Glue or nail the new wood into place. Drive any nails used below the surface with a punch. In other words, use a hard metal tool with a shaped tip, not a blow with a fist. Then finish so as to hide the repair.
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